R.I.P. Robin Williams

Yesterday it hit me like a ton of bricks. Robin Williams, in an apparent suicide, died at the age of 63. Normally celebrity deaths don't affect me that much. After all, they're just people. Sure, it's sad when they die but for the family and friends of the deceased, it's sad when anyone dies. But somehow Robin Williams was special. Just hearing the newscaster list his accomplishments it's obvious the man was not just any celebrity. Everybody has his or her own RW favorites. For me it was his role on "Mork and Mindy", especially in its last season when Jonathan Winters was on the show. The two of them together, riffing off each other was pure comedic brilliance. And his moving role of teacher John Keating in "Dead Poets Society". Those were my 2 favorites but there were so many others that I also loved.

But for me (and I am sure I am not alone here) the saddest thing of all was that he committed suicide as a result of his depression. I can relate because I too suffer from this potentially debilitating and deadly disease. And yes, it is a disease. But the good news is that for most of us who suffer with it, it can be lived with. I have been on anti-depression meds for about 7 years now. What they do is fix the chemical imbalance in my brain that used to give me these overwhelming, all-encompassing feelings of hopelessness and despair. I still get depressed sometimes, just like everyone, but the meds definitely level the playing field and let me get on with living my life - the good and the bad.

Although things are getting better, there is still a stigma attached to depression. "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps", "Everyone's got problems, not just you"  and "Just tough it out" are things that many of us have been told by supposedly well-meaning friends and family. Unfortunately it's just not that simple. So the point of what I am getting at is this. If you are depressed or feeling so desperate and hopeless that ending it all seems like a viable solution, please GET HELP. There is nothing shameful or weak about admitting that you need help. We all need help sometimes. And take heart in knowing that you are definitely not alone.

And now onto happier things like music.

Clifton Chenier - Hot Rod

I have always loved the sound of a rockin' accordion and nobody serves it up better than the King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier. This zippy tune never fails to put a little extra bounce in my step.

The Clingers - Gonna Have A Good Time

In case you were wondering what you get when you mix Kim Fowley, Michael Lloyd, 4 Mormon sisters and an Easybeats song - wonder no more. This came out in the US on the Columbia label in 1969. I wish I could find a copy of the French 45 which came with a picture sleeve.

The Resonars - If He's So Great
These guys have been together since the mid 1990's and have a number of releases under their belt. "If He's So Great" is just one of many great tunes that have found a home on my Ipod. Check them out and hear more on their Bandcamp page.

Del Shannon - Led Along
After Del's contract with Amy Records ran out he signed with Liberty Records where he recorded 10 singles and a handful of albums, most of which were quite good and showed him maturing as a singer and an artist. But by that point in time the public had had their fill and they were all pretty much unjustly ignored. This was one of those singles that definitely deserved more notice that still sounds fantastic today.   

Dale Hawkins - Wildcat Tamer
Dale, who was mostly known as the writer and original performer of "Susie Q" recorded this in 1999, which is surprising to me as it sounds like an early outtake. He also produced many records in the 1960's, among them "Western Union" by The Five Americans and "Do It Again, A Little Bit Slower" by Jon & Robin and The In Crowd. He died in Feb. of 2010 from colon cancer. 

The Menace - You Don't Even WInk Your Eye
I included this song in my last playlist before my hiatus back in July of 2012. Unfortunately in all that time I've been unable to track down an original 45 or even a better sounding mp3. Earlier this year someone was selling their album which does contain this song on Ebay for about $800 which is so far out of my league I never even considered it. Had it been around $200 it could well have been a different story. But from what I can tell this would probably have been the only really great song on the album as they were mostly into covering the soft-rock Top 40 hits of the day. Ho hum. But what a song this is. In my original post I described it as the best song The Hollies never recorded and I stand by that description.  

The Meters - Jambalaya
This Hank Williams classic has been recorded by everyone from John Fogerty to The Carpenters, The Muppets, Gerry & The Pacemakers and just about anyone else you can think of. This version by The Meters is the one I keep going back to.     

Michael Lynch - This Girl
Those of you from the NYC area who were part of the local garage scene over the last 10 - 15 years probably saw The Anything People at some point. Unfortunately they are no longer together but singer and main songwriter Michael Lynch has been doing a lot of recording on his own. "This Girl" is the b-side of his latest single and is available along with his other recordings on his Bandcamp page. There are a lot more goodies there where this came from.   

The Stumps - Think Of The Good Times
Although thy recorded for the Boyd label in Tucson, Arizona and are thought to be from there, according to an interview with bass player Mark Fraze, they actually called Kettering, Ohio home. "Think of the Good Times" is their one shot at garage immortality. 

The Banana Splits - The Very First Kid on My Block
If it weren't for first heartbreaks, think of all the incredible songs that would never have been written. The Banana Splits were a session group recording as the characters of the successful cartoon series "The Banana Splits Adventure Hour". Back in those days the truly hip would never have admitted to liking this but I'm sure it was a guilty pleasure for many of us.  

Donnie Burkes - Why Don't You Smile Now
Most people know this early Lou Reed/John Cale song by the Downliners Sect version. But here it is done mid-tempo soul style on the US Decca label in1965.

The Poppees - If She Cries
This Beatles sound-alike was one of two singles these guys released on Bomp Records in the early-mid 70s. A few years ago Bomp records put out a nice anthology of their singles plus some live tracks and demos, which you can order here. 

King Khan & BBQ Show - Too Much In Love
I just love their infectious combination of low-fi garage and doo wop. 

The Magnificents - Up On The Mountain
This killer doo wop classic came out on the Vee Jay label in 1956 and, despite never cracking the Top 100, got a decent amount of airplay in subsequent years on oldies stations.

The Burgundy Run - Stop!
Many of us first heard this song when it was covered by The Chesterfield Kings back in the mid-80's but this is the original, done by this Albuquerque, New Mexico combo in 1966. 

Barbara Feldon - 99
I don't know anyone who grew up in the 1960's who wasn't a fan of the TV series "Get Smart". Barbara Feldon in her role as Agent 99 was a big reason for the show's success. The actual mp3 file is mislabelled as being by Barbara Eden, the star of the TV series "I Dream of Jeanie". Sorry for the goof-up. 

The Galaxies - 6.15
As much as I like this sax and guitar instro stomper, it's not all that different from the thousand other records that came out in the early-mid 60s in the same style. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing as this still sounds quite good today. But the most interesting thing about it for me is the fact that it came out on the Chess label which was known almost exclusively as a blues/R&B/soul label.

Whenever you are near me oh my heart is on a spree

I'm baaack!!!

Yeah, I know it's been a really long time. Almost 2 years. Since my last post I've given up the job hunt and decided to retire. So I am learning to live on less money but without the stress of working full time - the commute and office politics. It's a trade-off I never would have made voluntarily but since it was made for me, I am generally much happier.

I am sure that most, if not all, of my old playlists have long been deleted. I no longer have them so I can not re-upload any of them. So in a sense I am starting over. Some of the songs on this playlist have been posted before. Once again I emphasize that this is not just about free music. If you like something, please think about purchasing it if it is readily available. While it's true that music is art, the economics of it are still a major factor in what gets released and made available. That is true even for most of those 'grey-area' comps. If whoever puts them out can't sell them, at some point they're going to stop.

And now a little plug. I do a once-a-month 1 hour radio show (usually the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 8 - 9 PM EST) on an online radio station Top Shelf Oldies. Not only on my show but every night of the week you will hear some great old R&R (almost all from the 50's and 60's) played by some of the most knowledgeable and entertaining disc jockeys around, most of whom are also fanatical collectors. And when the jocks aren't on, our automatic DJ Otto is also spinning some fine tunes. The best Rock & Roll on the internet only on Top Shelf Oldies.

Anyway, enough talk from me, let's get to the music. And needless to say, if anything here gives you the urge to leave a comment, don't be shy.

Alternative TV - Action Time Vision
Unlike a lot of UK punk from the late 70s which made a specific point of distancing itself from the past, this song is clearly influenced by what came before, in this case The Who and The Creation.
Bo Diddley - Hong Kong, Mississippi
For me Bo is the epitome of cool. I loved that scene in "Hail Hail Rock & Roll" when they are interviewing him along with Little Richard and Richard is getting all frenzied and Bo is just sitting there with this sly little smile on his face, like he was in on some cosmic joke that the rest of us just don't get. 
The Chentelles - Be My Queen
This was just one of the many 60's garage classics that was brought to our attention by the incredible Back From the Grave series. While there have been no new BFTG volumes since last century, I have it on good information that the maniacs at Crypt Records are working on 3 new volumes that are expected to see the light of day by the end of 2014.  I'm totally psyched!!
Lee Tillman - Tarzan
The only info I could find on this is that it came out on the Sonora label, possibly in 1962, and (if my ears are any judge) was recorded in New Orleans. Back in the pre-Beatles 60's records based on comic book heroes were almost a genre unto themselves and this was no doubt, recorded to cash in.
Roky Erickson & The Nervebreakers - Bermuda
This is not the original single version that came out on the fledgeling Rhino label back in 1977. Nonetheless, it's a fine live rendition. Roky's been touring the last few years, mixing in some of his solo material with songs from his 13th Floor Elevator days and if he ever plays anywhere near you, he is not to be missed.
Muck & The Mires - Caught In A Lie
Over the past 10+ years these guys have become one of my favorite bands. Main songwriter Evan Shore constructs these perfect pop songs and makes it sound like the easiest thing in the world (and as a frustrated songwriter myself I can tell you that it's anything but easy). Almost all of their CDs are out of print but you can buy most of their albums, like the one this song came from, "All Mucked Up" as mp3's on Amazon and some of their CDs and LPs can be found reasonably priced on Ebay.
Scott McKenzie - No, No, No, No, No
Sometimes an artist becomes completely associated with one song, and when that song is as overplayed as "San Francisco",  my curiosity as to whatever else he may have done is reduced to almost zero. It wasn't until I started listening to Top Shelf Oldies on a regular basis that I started hearing other records by Scott McKenzie that I liked a lot better. "No, No..." is from the "San Francisco" album that came out in 1967 and was not released as a single at the time as far as I know. Which is too bad because it's a much better song.  
The Five Satins - When Your Love Comes Along
Speaking of artists associated with only one song, that is certainly the case with The Five Satins as "In the Still of the Night" is a staple of oldies stations everywhere. "When Your Love..." was released in 1959 on the First label and promptly went nowhere.
Freddie Chavez - They'll Never Know Why
I love this song, especially that little guitar riff that is repeated  throughout the song. An original copy will set you back a good 3 figures - if you can even find one - but luckily, over the years this has been comped a number of times in good sound quality. I bet The Fleshtones would do a dynamite cover of this song. 
Lambert, Hendricks & Ross - Twisted
I first heard this song when I was in my early 20's when Joni Mitchell covered it on her "Court and Spark" album. While Joni did a more than credible job on it, for me this version from 1959 is the best.
The Dellwoods - (She Got A) Nose Job
This coulda/woulda/ shoulda/ been a hit is from the "Mad Twists Rock & Roll" album which was a big favorite of mine in my pre-teen years.
Jules & The Polar Bears - Sometimes Real Life
Jules Shear has had a long recording career to much critical acclaim. It's probably my loss but this is one of the few songs I've ever heard by him. I'm not exactly sure why but there is something about that chorus that always gets to me.
Andre Williams - Going Down To Tia Juana
Andre has to be THE most loveable dirty old man of Rock & Roll. This is but one of many fabulous records Andre recorded for the Fortune label back in the 50's. 
Dr. Feelgood -  Milk And Alcohol
Although this was recorded after the departure of guitar player Wilko Johnson, they were still at their peak when they played the show from which this was taken in 1979. Bluesy Rock & Roll at it's finest.
Buzz Cliford - More Dead Than Alive
Buzz scored a Top 10 hit in 1961 with the novelty tune "Baby Sittin' Boogie".  As happens so often, he never achieved anywhere near that success again despite the fact that a number of his subsequent releases were way superior. Like this one which never even cracked the Billboard Bubbling Under chart.
Sonny Rollins - St Thomas
One of the best concerts I've ever seen in my life was an outdoor free show that Sonny Rollins did in the summer of 1998 at Lincoln Center. It was jam packed and I couldn't get closer than maybe 100  feet from the stage. Nonetheless, his music was mesmerising on so many levels.

What's so strange when you know that you're a wizard at three?

Platterpuss R&R Record Party

Tune into my radio show unfer my alter-ego of Platterpuss tomorrow (Wed. Aug. 15) at 8 PM EST on Top Shelf Oldies.

Giving It Another Go

Since I definitely seem to find myself with a lot of time on my hands these days, I have decided to give this blog another go. Receiving some nice comments over the last few months has also made this decision easier. I don't have to tell you how difficult the blogging world has become over the last 9 months since the demise of Megaupload. The fact that I had a number of files taken down and a sharp decrease in visitors since Totally Fuzzy changed their format made it seem like more work than fun. But here's hoping that the few of you who find your way here will hear something new or in a different context that will pique your interest. If that happens I would love it if you would take the time to post a comment. And I am especially interested to know if I actually inspire anyone to go out and buy something. That is after all, the point of all this.

Jewel Akens - Tic Tac Toe
This was the flip side of Jewel's big hit "The Birds and The Bees" but I actually like this song better. 

Jalla Jalla - Minnesota Plates
Back in the early 90's when I was writing record reviews under the name The Platterpuss, I read an article in the fanzine "Noise For Heroes" about the music scene in Finland. I wrote a letter to one of the labels featured in the article, Hiljaiset Levyt Records, and received a nice package of CDs, LPs and 45s. There was a ton of terrific stuff in that package but this 45 was definitely the standout.

Head & The Hares - One Against The World
Back in the 80's and early 90's the garage punk revival scene was in full swing and many of the bands of that era were making music that was as vital as that of their original 60's inspirations. Head & The Hares' music was a bit more introspective and not quite as wild as that of their contemporaries like The Chesterfield Kings and The Lyres but it still holds up really well today.
Glen Campbell - About The Ocean
By now most of you readers know that Glen Campbell is sadly nearing the end of his career, having been diagnosed with Alzheimers last year. In his prime, there was no one who could evoke that feeling of gentle wistfullness the way he did.  Like many of his best songs, "About the Ocean" was written by Jimmy Webb and can be found on his "Reunion" album.

Jackie Moore - Precious, Precious
Back in late 1970 Jackie hit the Billboard charts with this slow burner, eventually cracking the Top 30. I never get tired of this song.

The Menace - You Don't Even Wink Your Eye
This is perhaps my favorite record of this post. I tend to think of this track as the best song the Hollies never recorded. The Menace were a Hong Kong band back in the mid 60's. To the best of my knowledge they recorded a few singles and an album for the HK based Diamond label. Unfortunately, original copies of this 45 are pretty scarce and this low-quality mp3 is all that exists - for now anyway. These guys are apparently still friends and get together every so often to make music. And they still sound damn good. Check out this video from 2007.

Tico & The Triumphs - Noise
This is just one of many teen pop records written and recorded by Paul Simon in his pre-S&G days.  

The Lazy Cowgirls - Loretta
While there is nothing that original going on here, when it comes to Stooges/Dolls influenced 3-chord Punk 'n' Roll, few do it better than these guys.  
Little Jimmy Rivers & The Tops - Puppy Love
I've always been a total sucker for that kiddie lead vocal doo wop sound and this is definitely one of the best examples. 

The Rolling Stones - Twenty Flight Rock
There are some folks who say that the Stones exemplify everything that is so cool and wonderful about Rock & Roll and I am definitely one of those people. I saw them back in 2005 and the energy and fire was still there in spades. This was recorded on their US tour in 1981.

Blue Ash - Abracadabra (Have You Seen Her)
Back in 1973, when disco and singer-songwriters reigned supreme, Blue Ash released their first album " No More No Less" on Mercury Records. Needless to say, at the time it went nowhere but today it is regarded as a powerpop classic. 

The Thomas Group - Autumn
Back in the mid 60's it seemed like PF Sloan could do no wrong, cranking out hit records for The Grass Roots, Herman's Hermits, The Turtles,  and a host of others. This is one of his lesser known gems although to these ears there is no reason why it couldn't have been a hit. Anyone looking to investigate PF Sloan's music a little further might want to start here.

Bonnie Raitt - I Ain't Blue
From her very first album, simply titled "Bonnie Raitt", this has always been one of my favorites. Those of you who are mostly familiar with her later recordings might be pleasantly surprised with the somewhat rougher and more organic vibe of her earlier music.
Larry Donn - Honey Bun
While not a household name by any means, Larry Donn is quite well known among fans and collectors of 50's Rockabilly. "Honey Bun" came out on the Vaden label in 1959 and I shudder to think how much original copies of this must be changing hands for at this point in time.
Jefferson Airplane - She Has Funny Cars
Back in Feb. or March of 1967 when I was a little tyke of 15, I went to EJ Korvettes with the intention of purchasing the latest album by The Young Rascals. Instead I came home with Jefferson Airplane's "Surrealistic Pillow" and the first 13th Floor Elevators album. Life hasn't been the same since.  

Everybody's gonna be there, yeah yeah yeah.

Land of the Rich and Privileged

I wish I were rich enough to be a Republican. I like to think I wouldn't be one but it would be nice to have that option. Seeing as how it is very unlikely that I will vote anything but straight Democratic in the next presidential election I haven't been paying too much attention to the Republican debates. But what I have been hearing scares the crap out of me. The ignorance and the smugness. And the thing that scares me the most is that these raving idiots are being taken seriously by people - people who have the power to vote and keep these evil bastards in office. And so many folks are like sheep and they follow them. All it seems to take is a 30-second soundbite calling their opponent a tax-and-spend liberal and referring to universal health care as Obamacare and voters are eating out of the palms of their hands. Not that most Democrats are likely that much better. They must cow tow to the same lobbyists for the big campaign bucks as their counterparts. But in most cases I think they still have some desire to do the right thing. I still believe Obama is a good man trying his best to fix this broken country. And I still think he talks common sense most of the time. His biggest fault is that maybe he is too nice and needs to toughen up. I sincerely hope he can do that and that he gets the chance to for the next 4 years.

Another Sunny Day - I'm In Love With A Girl Who Doesn't Know I Exist
Along with Roky Erickson's "Nothing In Return",this song perfectly captures that desolate lonely feeling that only an unrequited love can bring.
Billy Rainsford - Magnolia
Until I found this song on an old comp of bluesy 50's R&B I hadn't the slightest inkling that Mr. Rainsford even existed let alone have come up with such a gem as this. It just goes to show how much amazing music is still out there waiting to be discovered. It's a beautiful thing!
The Bedlam Four - No One to Love
I believe this is the same Minnesota combo who did "Hydrogen Atom" which has been comped a few times. This song, to the best of my knowledge, has yet to be reissued. Certainly it's not due to unworthiness.
Jimmy Jones - I Want Action
Listening to his vocal I'm quite sure that this is not the "Handy Man" Jimmy Jones, but I really know nothing else about him other than that this record came out on the Twinight label out of Chicago.
The Clovers - Down In The Alley
Changity changity changity changity chang chang. This has always been one of my favorite Clovers records and one that you don't hear all that often these days.
Simon Dupree & The Big Sound - Reservations
This was a single for these guys in 1967 on Parlophone Records. In 1969 they split up with a few of their members forming prog rockers Gentle Giant.
Pat Benetar - I Need A Lover
Back in the punk era Pat Benetar was considered to be everything that was prefabricated and corporate and wrong with Rock & Roll music - at least in my circle. These days she doesn't sound bad at all and I've always liked this song - even when it wasn't cool to do so.
The Mods - I Give You an Inch (and You Take a Mile)
According to the Garage database, there were around 15 bands calling themselves The Mods. The Mods who recorded this snarly classic came from Toledo, Ohio.
Thelma Houston - Jumpin' Jack Flash
Of course it goes without saying that the definitive version of this song will always be The Rolling Stones' original, but I like Thelma's as well.
Dean Carter - Mary Sue
Dean is mainly known for his oft-comped totally over the top version of "Jailhouse Rock" but as his "Call of the Wild" CD definitely proved, there was a whole lot more craziness where that came from.
Chuck Brookes - Spinning My Wheels
I first became familiar with this song when The A-Bones started covering it some 20-odd years ago. Their version is pretty similar to Chuck's original.
Richard X. Heyman - Falling Away
Until I looked him up on Wikipedia I had no idea this guy had 7 albums under his belt. I may have heard bits and pieces of a few of them but this song is my favorite of what I have heard so far.
Sir Winston and The Commons - We're Gonna Love
Another 60s Garage favorite that was introduced to the world on Back From The Grave Vol. 3.
Bob Dylan - Can't Help Falling In Love
After Dylan signed with Asylum Records for 2 albums Columbia Records, where he'd been recording since 1962, decided to "punish" him by releasing the "Dylan" album which contained outtakes considered not worthy of release at the time they were recorded. I've always loved his version of "Can't Help..." from that album.
The Rogues - You Better Look Now
Here's a little minor-key jangly folk rock courtesy of our friends who released the "Teenage Shutdown" series. I think this was on Volume 5.
Rufus Thomas - Crazy 'Bout You Baby
Way before he recorded "Walkin' the Dog" for Stax, Rufus Thomas recorded a whole slew of jump R&B sides for Sam Phillips' Sun label. This was one of them.
Mose Allison - Your Molecular Structure
Mose Allison has always been a favorite artist of mine. I love that little spark of mischief in his songs. In an article I read once the author said that he sang "with a twinkle in his eye" and nowhere is that more apparent than on this particular song.

Like a river flows, surely to the sea

Last Platterpuss Broadcast of 2011

In case anyone missed my broadcast on Top Shelf Oldies this past Wednesday, here it is for download to listen to at your own convenience. Now that Christmas is over, I say we skip New Years and head right into Spring Training. Play Ball.

AMOS MILBURN - CHICKEN SHACK BOOGIE (1955 Vers.)
MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS - NOWHERE TO RUN
THE SONS OF FRED - BABY WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO
LESLIE DAWSON - RUN FOR SHELTER
KYU SAKAMOTO - HANA SAKU MACKIKADO (HAT'S OFF TO LARRY)
STATUS QUO - ICE IN THE SUN
THE VELVETS - WILD LITTLE WILLY
LITTLE IKE - SHE CAN ROCK
THE YOUNG SAVAGES - THE INVADERS ARE COMING
THE VONBRELLAS - WINGS OF AN ANGEL
THE DIABLOS - SINCE YOU'RE GONE
DARROW FLETCHER - INFATUATION
THE MENACE - YOU DON'T EVEN WINK YOUR EYE
THE HOLLIES - BABY THAT'S ALL
CRABBY APPLETON - LUCY
MEL DORSEY & THE HEARTBEATS - LITTLE LIL
THE BLUES PROJECT - NO TIME LIKE THE RIGHT TIME
THE COBRAS - SINDY
THE SUGAR CANYON - ON TOP OF THE WORLD
THE MUSIC MACHINE - THE PEOPLE IN ME
THE KINKS - THIS IS WHERE I BELONG
THE MAR-KEYS - BLUE PEANUTS

Back Off the Chain Gang

As of around 7:30 PM, Nov. 30 I am once again a member of the great unemployed. I can't say that it came as a great surprise and I also can't say that I am too upset about it. To be perfectly honest I grew to really hate this job over the last few months. After the first initial shock I felt like a weight had been lifted off my back. The economy still stinks out there and I don't have a lot of money saved up so I find myself having to make choices about things I used to take for granted but at this point in my life a little belt-tightening is probably not a bad thing to get used to.

I read an interesting article in the Huffington Post written by Steve Van Zandt. Now I realize that Miami Steve is not one of the great political commentators of our time but he does make a very interesting point. As long as politicians (both Democrat and Republican) are so dependent on campaign contributions, nothing is going to change. Biting the hand that feeds you is never a good career move. In his exact words, "We need to eliminate all private finance from the electoral process." I'm not sure I agree with him completely. After all, in the last presidential election I donated $50 to Barack Obama's campaign and I'm certainly not expecting any special favors to come my way because of it. But if I'd donated $50,000 I might feel differently. So he does raise an interesting point and something to think about.

By now, most of you reading this already know about the deaths of Howard Tate, Hubert Sumlin and Dobie Gray. Over the past week much has been written about them and many of their records have been posted on various blogs and on Youtube. So I have little or nothing to add really but I did feel the need to acknowledge them as I really loved their music. And now, on with the show.

Adam Faith - I Don't Need That Kind Of Lovin'
This song was on my very first playlist back on Sept. 25, 2008 and has long been deleted by Rapidshare. To these ears most of what he recorded, with and without the Roulettes is little more than schlock but he did do a few cool rockers.
Junior McCants - Try Me For Your new Love
One of these days I will get to updating my "Way to Go" section and when I do I will definitely be posting a link to Derek's Daily 45 which is where I found this nifty upbeat soul dancer.
The Sugar Canyon - On Top of The World
Back in the late 60's when psychedelia and long bluesy guitar solos ruled the roost, Buddah Records in NYC was merrily swimming against the tide, cranking out one bubblegum single after another. I doubt if The Sugar Canyon was a real band (were ANY of them?) but it doesn't matter. If bouncy, catchy pop is your thing, it doesn't get a whole lot better than this.
The Young Fresh Fellows - Rock'n'Roll Pest Control
Sometimes these guys come on a little too jokey for my tastes but this particular song, off their debut LP "The Fabulous Sounds Of The Pacific Northwest" has always been a favorite of mine.
Papa Lightfoot - Wine, Women, Whiskey
I don't know anything about Papa Lightfoot except that this song comes from a really fine 4-disc set called "Juke Joint Blues" which can be found at Amazon.
Downliners Sect - Lonely And Blue
Any of you who are readers of Ugly Things have undoubtedly been reading about Downliners Sect's goings on for the last 15 years as, along with The Pretty Things, they are a favorite of editor Mike Stax. Listening to this it's not hard to hear why.
Kenny Smith - I'm So Lonesome, Baby
Here's another record by an artist I know nothing about, in fact I never even heard of him until I got the CD "Keb Darge & Little Edith's Legendary Wild Rockers" which is also available pretty cheaply at Amazon.
The E-Types - I Can't Do It
I've always had a soft spot for this kind of mid-60's poppy garage. I'm sure that original copies of this record sell for unheard of sums but luckily, this was reissued by Sundazed a few years back.
Dick Dale- Jessie Pearl
Dick Dale is mostly known for his string bending instrumentals but here he turns in a vocal similar in style to some of Eddie Cochran's better records.
The Moving Sidewalks - Every Night A New Surprise
While these guys are mostly known (besides morphing into boogie rockers ZZ Top) for their monstrous garage rocker "99th Floor", this is another keeper by them.
The Cobras - Sindy
This was recorded in 1955 for the Modern label of Hollywood California. Primo slow doo wop complete with a spoken middle section. Perfect make out music.
DMZ - Rosalyn
Before he formed The Lyres, Jeff Connolly was in DMZ. Musically, both bands had pretty much the same approach although DMZ may have been a little rougher around the edges - never a bad thing. Here is a live version of The Pretty Thing's "Rosalyn".
The Disturbers - Coming To Your World
From somewhere in the wilds of Pennsylvania these guys show (to my ears anyway) a bit of a Dylan meets the Seeds influence. Some cool organ playing throughout definitely adds a nice touch. Good guitar solo too.
Norma Jenkins - Me Myself And I
Nice mid-tempo soul from this songstress that I must admit to having no previous knowledge of whatsoever until I heard this song on Kent's Carnival of Soul Vol 1 CD. With a lovely voice like she had it seems kind of surprising she never made it further.
The Spliffs - You Know What They'll Say
Power Pop lover that I am, this has been a favorite of mine for a really long time so I was really surprised when I did a search and found that in the 3+ years I've been doing this blog I had never posted this absolute gem of a record. So here it is. Enjoy.
William Penn Fyve - Blow Your Mind
It's hard to believe that this garage pounder by these 5 guys from Palo Alto, CA has never been comped. I don't remember where I got it from but it's a killer track.
Willie Tee - Teasin' You
I saw Willie Tee in concert a few years ago and he could still sing as sweetly as ever. Sadly he passed away from colon cancer not long after that show. "Teasin..." was released as a single in March of 1965 on Atlantic Records with the fabulous "Walking Up A One-Way Street" as the b-side but it only made it up to number 97 on the Billboard Top 100.

There's no place else that I can go